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BANDITOS HIT THE DUSTY TRAIL WHILE MURPHY SHOOTS DOWN FIELD |
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AUGUST 16, 2008 --- Peter Murphy won his 9th race of the 18 events ran this year taking advantage of a favorable inversion pill draw by VMAC Fast Timer Rusty Carlile that put the Tachi Palace 21 on the pole. Earning another iTi Performance “Feature Winner” award Murphy dusted the competition by selfishly did not sharing his benefit with anyone else and led the entire 30 laps. Even though Murphy was challenged by another Bandito favorite- “Big Daddy” Davey Pombo for a great deal of the feature he never came close to giving up that coveted position and the narrow line around the track. The always charging Pombo earned the first Kaeding Performance Centers award with his well done runner-up finish. Davey Pombo made his presence known but the experienced Murphy could not be moved by the possibly faster at times Big Daddy juggernaut while the Tarlton-Pombo tag team event was seemingly rekindled. Although Davey finished in the runner-up spot, he was challenged by Norwalk’s visiting outlaw Brandon Thompson who skillfully worked his way from his seventh place start position to his 3rd place finish. Thomson averted disaster and overcame some difficulty in hot laps when a front wheel broke and flew into the turn three catch fence. Brandon, Grandpa Fred and chargin’ Charlie got the 92 ride back in shape and ready to roll in short order. Last week-end the traveling truckers lost a motor in the 19 car after the haul to Santa Maria and got their act together straight away. The team qualified in the top third of the field and ran strong for the balance of the program. Fourth finishing standout Richard VanderWeerd is separating himself out from all of the other stellar ROY contenders. Richard earned another BR Motorsports Rookie of the Race award in this inaugural program. R.V. took up the challenge of a 13th place start position to work his way up to another strong podium finish. Last weeks heroine Justyne Hamblin deftly rolled to a stout 5th place finish from her ninth place beginnings. This sophomore stand-out has a knack for strong finishes and calculating driving styles. The balance of the top ten were filled out by former USAC sprint car champion Fresno’s Jeff Gardener who had another strong run to finish 6th right behind Hamblin. Fast timer Rusty Carlile slid off track early in the race and never fully recovered as making up positions was made difficult by the slick racing surface. Jace VanderWeerd maintained his own equilibrium with an 8th finish after charging forward from his eighth place start position. Tarlton team mate Michael Faccinto had another round of the Pombo-Tarlton tag team match from a few weeks past in another duel with “Fast” Albert Pombo that resembled the battle for the win at the head of the field. The qualifying heat races were won by rookie T.J. Smith in his Lemon Motorsports black 14, the Tarlton & Son 21 of Peter Murphy, and Merced’s Steven Williams red Doug Williams 93 Sysco Special. The Spintech Muffler and Performance Exhaust Systems heat 1had T.J. Smiths safe victory over Jonathon Logan, Rusty Carlile, Davey Knott and Justyne Hamblin who all earned time transfers. 6th Place went to fourth fast qualifier Michael Faccinto missed the transfer along with first time driver David Carlile who did an excellent job all evening of running strong and maintaining a steady line. Bakersfield teacher and sprint car racer Matt Day suffered steering box difficulties and did not take the green for the race. The Stainless Storage Solutions second heat was an anticalactic affair with Murphy showing the way to strong rookie Tyler Schmidt, Thomson, “Big Daddy” Pombo and Fresno star Adam Frith-Smith who all earned their times back. I.M.C.A. Modified stand out and Bandit rookie Chris Ennis from Porterville made a strong showing in his white with hot pink numeraled 86 car to gain valuable seat time in only his second career Bandit entry. Ricky Kirkbride and his team dealt with similar obstacles to the Day team and were unable to start his heat. The Extreme Mufflers third and final qualifying win featured former Spec Sprint Champion Steven Williams strong showing over fellow time travelers ‘Rapid” Richard VanderWeerd, “Fast Albert” Pombo, Jace ‘the Answer” VanderWeerd and Jeff Gardner. Stock car ace and Perris driver Mike Collins made the trip in his Bill Perkins Victorville School car to finish 6th ahead of Kris Koontz and Rick Eberhardt. The Bandit Series Championship is nearing its end with Peter Murphy’s whopping 900 points and his Tarlton and Son Maxim stretching his point lead to 183 over “Fast Albert” Pombo who heads to the final half dozen events with a daunting challenge. With 329 points still possible it is possible to surpass Murphy, although his position is as comfortable as can be. Even though he missed the first event of the season, young Pombo (717 points) has nothing to hang his head about because he has been a model of consistency that in past seasons would have earned him a championship. This is a credit to both Alberts abilities and a testimony to the strength of Murphy’s efforts. A scant 10 points behind Pombo is Bakersfield’s Rusty Carlile (707 point)who is pressuring with strong performances since scoring their new Bullet from iTi Performance. Justyne Hamblin and her trusty Stinger are on a comfortable island unto her own with 681 points almost 100 points in front of leading rookie “Rapid” Richard VanderWeerd who stands at 587. On a hot August night, the Bandits returned to the legendary Kings Speedway where the hot Central Valley weather played into track challenges which were an element to an interesting storey. The track preparation is an under appreciated endeavor and the Kings crew worked hard to over come the summer heat and wind challenges that put moisture at a premium. Every driver and team did an outstanding of working through the adversities to put on another great show on the fastest track on the circuit before heading to Ventura Raceway and Jimmy Naylor’s tough bullring for the Grand Slam Finale. Although the track was smooth and safe, the dust challenged visibility somewhat. Every team worked with Kings Staff to put on the fantastic show for the fans who enjoyed both the non-winged Bandits as well as the winged National Sprints along with the IMCA Modifieds. Kings Speedway is committed to providing the best conditions possible and shows for their fans in their sophomore season of operation. Kings Speedway is supported by the Bandit teams who are as committed to assisting and helping the Speedway in every way possible. The Bandit Series will be back to the Kings Speedway following the Bandit-VRA Grand Slam on August 30th for the 1st Annual Jim Turner Memorial. Jim Turner was a racer from a racing family who lost his life in an unfortunate accident last year at Kings Speedway. His life will be memorialized and celebrated with an event that he would be proud to share with those who also enjoyed his zest and passion for the sport he gave his life too. RESULTS: BANDIT SPRINT CARS Kings Speedway - Hanford, CA August 16, 2008 (23 CARS) TIME TRIALS: SPINTECH MUFFLERS HEAT RACE 1: (10 laps) STAINLESS STEEL STORAGE SOLUTIONS HEAT RACE 2: (10 laps) EXTREME MUFFLERS HEAT RACE 3: (10 laps) FEATURE: (30 laps - With Actual Starting Positions) |
